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bronsonmh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a good coming of age queer story about a young boy named Nate who is in love with his best friend Jai and is getting ready to spend two weeks in South Africa for his cousin's wedding. When he finds out that Tommy his ex boyfriend will be there he freaks out, but one of his best friends Jai says he will go with him. I also like how music is incorporated into the book and how the relationship between Nate and Jai is very organic. I also love how this story touches on family and how important it is. I love how Nate was able to go to the place where his father grew up.
I thought this was a good coming of age queer story about a young boy named Nate who is in love with his best friend Jai and is getting ready to spend two weeks in South Africa for his cousin's wedding. When he finds out that Tommy his ex boyfriend will be there he freaks out, but one of his best friends Jai says he will go with him. I also like how music is incorporated into the book and how the relationship between Nate and Jai is very organic. I also love how this story touches on family and how important it is. I love how Nate was able to go to the place where his father grew up.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, and Death of parent
link_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
nightgoesblack's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Grief
whatbreeread's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
this book was ok. like i have no strong feelings about it
i will say the cover is misleading cause i thought it was a black romance and only half of them are black
while i liked some of the romantic moments and humor, i wasn’t exactly enthralled by it. also i didn’t care for the songwriting bit at all
and then nate cheated… what do you want me to do with that? really?
i didn’t understand how this book revolves around a wedding and one of the MCs didn’t even end up going to said wedding lmaooo. like what?😭😭😭 all that buildup for jai not to even go? and the wedding was super short and didn’t really play a huge part in the story (and i mean how could it when jai was already gone?😭)
i liked being exposed to south african culture and a bit of its history but all in all this story was just super predictable and i’m not a fan of the writing. it felt like i was being told this story. i wasn’t immersed in it
i will say the cover is misleading cause i thought it was a black romance and only half of them are black
while i liked some of the romantic moments and humor, i wasn’t exactly enthralled by it. also i didn’t care for the songwriting bit at all
i didn’t understand how this book revolves around a wedding and one of the MCs didn’t even end up going to said wedding lmaooo. like what?😭😭😭 all that buildup for jai not to even go? and the wedding was super short and didn’t really play a huge part in the story (and i mean how could it when jai was already gone?😭)
i liked being exposed to south african culture and a bit of its history but all in all this story was just super predictable and i’m not a fan of the writing. it felt like i was being told this story. i wasn’t immersed in it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
kalynaobyrne's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Nate Plus One was a fun quick YA! I really enjoyed this book. I liked both main characters a lot and loved learning more about South Africa. I do wish we could have gotten Jai POV because I think it would have fleshed out his character more. I felt like it ended a little abruptly and wished we could have gotten a little more at the end. This was such a fast read for me and I read it one day which I don’t do very often. Overall, this was a 4.5 for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So the blurb for this book is a bit misleading because it seems like it might be a battle of the bands kind of book. While that is an aspect of the story, it's definitely way more focused on Nate and Jai in South Africa for a wedding. Which is fine! I just think the summary could have been worded a bit better!
That being said, this is absolutely a fun rom-com kind of book, even if it has one of my least favorite romance tropes. Miscommunication (AKA noncommunication). This is definitely a trope employed in a lot of romance books, but it just drives me crazy. Stop assuming things and just talk! I was literally yelling that at the book as I was listening to it.
Nate was a pretty full developed character, I just wish some of the side characters had gotten the same treatment. Jai especially. We only really get to see one side of him, and I wish he could have been fleshed out a little more.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun summer read, this book is entertaining! Just be warned it might not be what you were expecting.
That being said, this is absolutely a fun rom-com kind of book, even if it has one of my least favorite romance tropes. Miscommunication (AKA noncommunication). This is definitely a trope employed in a lot of romance books, but it just drives me crazy. Stop assuming things and just talk! I was literally yelling that at the book as I was listening to it.
Nate was a pretty full developed character, I just wish some of the side characters had gotten the same treatment. Jai especially. We only really get to see one side of him, and I wish he could have been fleshed out a little more.
All in all, if you're looking for a fun summer read, this book is entertaining! Just be warned it might not be what you were expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, and Alcohol
decklededgess's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
trigger warnings: death of parent (mentioned), homophobia
No because what the fuck who writes a book this cute!!!! It was such a sweet and warm story of two queer boys waffling around each other trying to figure out if the crush is mutual while literally cowriting a love song FOR EACH OTHER. Insufferably cute.
No because what the fuck who writes a book this cute!!!! It was such a sweet and warm story of two queer boys waffling around each other trying to figure out if the crush is mutual while literally cowriting a love song FOR EACH OTHER. Insufferably cute.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
pey333's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
bookphenomena_micky's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Headlines:
Incredibly cute
Best friends to best more
I found this to be such a cute read, engaging and predictable. So, it was nothing new but it brought the feels and fun even so.
Nate and his best bud of late Jai, were bandmates. This story took them from the U.S to South Africa and it threw in some Apartheid history which was nicely balanced in the tale. There was a wedding, an ex, a nasty uncle and an amazing grandma. Miscommunication was a theme but I loved where things ended up.
All in all a sweet read.
Content warnings: homophobia
Incredibly cute
Best friends to best more
I found this to be such a cute read, engaging and predictable. So, it was nothing new but it brought the feels and fun even so.
Nate and his best bud of late Jai, were bandmates. This story took them from the U.S to South Africa and it threw in some Apartheid history which was nicely balanced in the tale. There was a wedding, an ex, a nasty uncle and an amazing grandma. Miscommunication was a theme but I loved where things ended up.
All in all a sweet read.
Content warnings: homophobia
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia